I took my time with this one. The first time I read it, I sped through it all because the plot had so many twists and turns. After all the buildup and anticipation from SOC, Crooked Kingdom delivers in full. With any other writer these books may have been tedious, but the twists and pacing are balanced excellently. The intricate descriptions of Ketterdam provide realistic and easy-to-imagine visuals that don't overshadow the action.

And between all the exciting plot developments, there's enough space for the story to slow down and have its quiet moments. The characters have time to grow, progress their relationships and face their various flaws and tragic pasts. The way Leigh develops all six of these characters and lets us empathise with all of them is masterful.

I could go on about how much I love this duology for ages, but I don't want to spoil too much! These were the first Grishaverse books I read and it was such a fun experience to go in blind. I definitely need to get my hands on the collector's editions soon.